FREEDOM AND FULFILLMENT (continue)

Part 3

Previously we spoke about Freedom from Judgment - No Condemnation. That's for the believer who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior there is no more condemnation, for Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sins, and since you are "in Christ," God will not condemn you. Then we spoke about Freedom from Defeat - No Obligation. Where there is no obligation to the old nature. The believer can live in victory. Where the Apostle Paul described life on three different levels, and he encouraged all believers (those who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior) to live on the highest level. Today we will continue with our discussion on Freedom and Fulfillment.

Freedom from Discouragement - No Frustration

18For I consider (from the standpoint of faith) that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! 19For (even the whole) creation (all nature) waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly (because of some intentional fault on its part), but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will also be freed from its bondage to decay (and gain entrance) into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit (a joyful indication of the blessings to come), even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for (the sign of) our adoption as sons the redemption and transformation of our body (at the resurrection). 24For in this hope we were saved (by faith). But hope (the object of) which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with patience and composure. 26In the same way the Spirit (comes to us and) helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself (knows our need and at the right time) intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. 27And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes (before God) on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will. 28And we know (with great confidence) that God (who is deeply concerned about us) causes all things to work together (as a plan) for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. 29For those whom He foreknew (and loved and chose beforehand), He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son (and ultimately share in His complete sanctification), so that He would be the firstborn (the most beloved and honored) among many believers. 30And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (declared free of the guilt of sin); and those whom He justified, He also glorified (raising them to a heavenly dignity)" - Romans 8:18-30 AMP.

In this section we find that Paul dealt with the very real problem of suffering and pain. Perhaps the best way to understand this section is to take note of the three "groans" that are discussed.

Creation groans: "22For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now." - Romans 8:22 AMP. When God finished His creation, it was a good creation "31God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good and He validated it completely." - Genesis 1:31 AMP, but today it is a groaning creation. There is suffering and death; there is pain, all of which is, of course, the result of Adam’s sin. It is not the fault of creation. Take note of the words that Paul used to describe the plight of creation: suffering, vanity, bondage, decay, and pain. However, this groaning is not a useless thing: Paul compared it to a woman in travail. There is pain, but the pain will end when the child is delivered. One day creation will be delivered, and the groaning creation will become a glorious creation! The believer does not focus on today’s sufferings; he looks forward to tomorrow’s glory. "18So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal (just brief and fleeting), but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable." - 2 Corinthians 4:18 AMP. Today’s groaning bondage will be exchanged for tomorrow’s glorious liberty!

We believers groan: "23And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit (a joyful indication of the blessings to come), even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for (the sign of) our adoption as sons the redemption and transformation of our body (at the resurrection)". - Romans 8:23 AMP. The reason we groan is because we have experienced "the first fruits of the Spirit," a foretaste of the glory to come. Just as the nation of Israel tasted the first fruits of Canaan when the spies returned "27They reported to Moses and said, "We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit." - Numbers 13:27 AMP, so we Christians have tasted of the blessings of heaven through the ministry of the Spirit.

This makes us want to see the Lord, receive a new body, and live with Him and serve Him forever. We are waiting for "the adoption," which is the redemption of the body when Christ returns. "20But (we are different, because) our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await (the coming of) the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will (not only) transform (but completely refashion) our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body." - Philippians 3:20-21 AMP. This is the thrilling climax to "the adoption" that took place at conversion when "the Spirit of adoption" gave us an adult standing in God’s family. When Christ returns, we shall enter into our full inheritance.

Meanwhile, we wait and hope. "For we are saved by that hope", "24For in this hope we were saved (by faith)" - Romans 8:24(a) AMP, (literal translation). What hope? "That blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ", "13awaiting and confidently expecting the (fulfillment of our) blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus," - Titus 2:13 AMP. The best is yet to come! The believer does not get frustrated as he sees and experiences suffering and pain in this world. He knows that the temporary suffering will one day give way to eternal glory.

The Holy Spirit groans: "26In the same way the Spirit (comes to us and) helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself (knows our need and at the right time) intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words." - Romans 8:26 AMP. God is concerned about the trials of His people. When He was ministering on earth, Jesus groaned when He saw what sin was doing to mankind "34and looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to the man, "Ephphatha," which (in Aramaic) means, "Be opened and released!" -Mark 7:34 AMP. Today the Holy Spirit groans with us and feels the burdens of our weaknesses and suffering. But the Spirit does more than groan. He prays for us in His groaning so that we might be led into the will of God. We do not always know God’s will. We do not always know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes so that we might live in the will of God in spite of suffering. The Spirit "shares the burden."

The believer never need faint in times of suffering and trial because he knows that God is at work in the world "28And we know (with great confidence) that God (who is deeply concerned about us) causes all things to work together (as a plan) for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose." - Romans 8:28 AMP, and that He has a perfect plan "29For those whom He foreknew (and loved and chose beforehand), He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son (and ultimately share in His complete sanctification), so that He would be the firstborn (the most beloved and honored) among many believers." - Romans 8:29 AMP. God has two purposes in that plan: our good and His glory. Ultimately, He will make us like Jesus Christ! Best of all, God’s plan is going to succeed! Hallelujah! Praise God!

It started in eternity past before the foundation of the world when He chose us in Christ "4just as (in His love) He chose us in Christ (actually selected us for Himself as His own) before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy (that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven) and blameless in His sight. In love 5He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as (His own) children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will" - Ephesians 1:4-5 AMP.

He predetermined that one day we would be like His Son. Predestination applies only to saved people. (That's the believer who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior). Nowhere are we taught that God predestines people to be eternally condemned. If they are condemned, it is because of their refusal to trust Christ "18Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him (as personal Savior and Lord) is not judged (for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation); but the one who does not believe (and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord) is judged already (that one has been convicted and sentenced), because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the (One and) only begotten Son of God (the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him)." - John 3:18 AMP. Those whom He chose, He called "13But we should and are (morally) obligated (as debtors) always to give thanks to God for you, believers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit (that sets you apart for God’s purpose) and by your faith in the truth (of God’s word that leads you to spiritual maturity). 14It was to this end that He called you through our gospel (the Good News of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection), so that you may obtain and share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 AMP; when they responded to His call, He justified them, and He also glorified them. This means that the believer has already been glorified in Christ (those who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior), "22I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, just as We are one;" - John 17:22 AMP; the revelation of this glory awaits the coming of the Lord "19For (even the whole) creation (all nature) waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed." - Romans 8:19 AMP.

How can we Christians ever be discouraged and frustrated when we already share the glory of God? Our suffering today only guarantees that much more glory when Jesus Christ returns!

Today’s groaning bondage will be exchanged for tomorrow’s glorious liberty!

It's this fact that leads us to the fourth freedom we enjoy as Christians. Freedom from Fear - No Separation. (to be continued). See you in the next post stay blessed.